You may remember the AlphaSmart 3000 mechanical mod I made a while back. I'd like to improve on the proof-of-concept PCB I made then, as well as on the untested 2nd revision I uploaded. I'd like to sell the PCB and parts as a kit, supporting more switch footprints (shooting for Alps and Kailh Choc as well as MX). Most importantly, I feel that the old layout leaves a lot to be desired (see below) and would like to improve it. I would like to support a degree of layout customization. While I only want to make 1 PCB design out of entirely passive components, my idea is to use optional switch positions, jumper wire pads and solder bridges to allow some of the keys to be swapped and moved if one so desires, with instructions to make configuration options easy to understand.

If you're interested, I'd love to hear which specific layout options as well as other improvements you'd like to see.

Cheers.

6/10 Update: I don't think it would be feasible to provide the option of Colemak with entirely passive components, so I'm figuring out a design that uses a programmable microcontroller.

Since Colemak seems popular, I'll try to make that work. It would add at least 34 extra points to solder though.

This will only be compatible with the 3000 model for 2 reasons: first, because that's the model I already have, for which I've already documented the matrix and case measurements, and which I know it will work with. Second, and more importantly, later models don't have room for a full-height top row, so you'd have to find or make keycaps for the top row that are 16mm instead of 19mm (or just make all the rows shorter so that the keycaps are normal-sized but extra snug). If there's significant demand for a board compatible with another model, despite the key distance weirdness, I could try to make that instead.

Count me in among the interested! If you haven't already, drop in on the AlphaSmart group: https://www.flickr.com/groups/39436080@N00. They are already talking about your mod over there.Anyway, I have a Neo2 and I'd love to find a way to put mech switches in it. I'm not super worried about the smaller keys on the top row—if nobody makes keycaps that size I could fashion my own or somehow mod the original ones to fit. But if that's not possible, I'd consider buying a modded 3000 from you. Going to PM you now!